Life-saving apparatus.



W. PINGZES. LIFE SAVING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1913 Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

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Witnesses lnvenior' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

WILLIAM PINCZES, OF KALPMONT, PENNSYLVANIA.

LIFE-SAVING APPARATUS.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

Application filed June 5, 1913. Serial No. 771,928.

may be' collapsed within a small compass,

and which may be unfolded or extended to present a buoyant basket adapted to sustain a person therein at the surface of the water. Another object of the present invention is to rovide a device of the nature indicated em odying' an inner waterproof bellows, and an outer'telescopic shell. for protecting the, bellows or inner member, the whole befoldableor collapsible when not inuse.

, "A further object of the present invention is to. provide a noveland improved closure for the basket, which shall be water-tight when closed, and which shall embody means for locking the same closed, and means for -'admitting and discharging air.

The present invention also comprehends the provision of;a lifesaving ap aratus which shall be comparatively simp a, substantial, durable and inexpensive in con; structiomwhich shallbe safe, sim lo and efficient in its use, and which may e readily ior use in an easy manner b thpse inexperienced as well as those familiar with the device.

* With the foregoing' and other objects in =viewl.:which willappear as the description proceeds, the present invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and-in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that, changes inthe precise embodiment of the-invention can be made with n the scope of'what is claimed without departing from the spiritof defame provided an upper annulus or ring 1, and a base or bottom 2, the latter embodying a preferred embodiment in the accompanying lower cir'cular member 3 having an upper depression or cavity 4, and a circular plate .5 fitting-within the cavity 4. A spiral coil 6 has its upper or largest convolution secured to the bottom of the annulus or ring 1 and has its lower or smallest convolution secured to the base or'rather the late 5 of thetbase. The coil 6 is constructed of suitable stock possessing the proper rigidity and resiliency,

and is adapted to yield so that the annulus and base may be moved together or toward each other. the coil 6 however, being under compression so as to tend to separate or unfold the apparatus.

Around the coil 6 there, is disposed or fitted a flexible bag 7 constructed of suitable water-proof fabric. The lower end of the member 7 is secured or clamped between the member 3 and the plate 5, the said member 3 and plate being connected by a central belt or draft member 8. The upper end of the member 7 'is secured to the annulus 1, the annulus being provided with a circumferential or peripheral groove 9 receiving a band 10, the member 7 being clamped between the band and the groove 9. The bag or member 7 isheld'open by the coil 6, and is adapted to fold in the manner of a bellows of accordion.

In connection with the bag 7 there is employed a telescopic outer shell 11 embodying a plurality of annular sections in telescopic relations, the lower section 12 bemg closed or in the form of a pan and receiving the base 2. If desired, the bottom 12 of Th a v stiea efipbw mashed a,

books or ears 14-,carried'by-,.the mascara engaged through the section 13 adjoining its upper edge. It will be observed, that the shell'llmay telescope or collapse with the coil and bag. The shell 11 is preferably constructed of sheet metal or of suitable material capable of withstanding rough handling or hard usage.

The closure for the device embodies a pair of complementary semi-circular jaws 15, which me secured on .a pair of bails or bowed strips 16, the ends or terminals of the strips 16 being pivoted to the upstanding plates 16" secured upon the annulus 1 at diametrical opposite points. The bag 7 is extended into the cover sections 17, which have their edges secured between the strips 16 and the jaws 15, the edges of the cover sections 17 beingprovided with the rubber or packing strips 17 adapted to contact with each other so as to provide a tight or waterproof joint when the jaws are closed. One of the-jaws 1. is provided with an arcuate groove 18 in its inner face, while the other jaw is provided with a'similarly shaped --tions of the tubes 22 are preferably wound ton guc 1 joinin 9 adapted to engage within the groove 18 when the jaws are closed, so as to assist in providing a water-proof or tight joint. Latches 20 are secured to the respective jaws 15 and are, adapted to snap over the other jaws when the jaws are closed, so

as to lock the jaws against being accidentally opened, and to prevent the jaws from being opened from the interior when they have once been closed.

()ne of thejaws 15 is provided \'i h. the tubes'or pipes 21 passing therethrough ad-.

gits ends and having their outer portions bent along the jaw 15 and projecting upward. Tubes 22 ofiany suitable length are connected to the pipes 21- and may extendto any convenient height or point so that air may be admitted throughone of the tubes, and maybe discharged or expelled through the other one, without the liability of water being admitted. The free porback upon the body or inner portions of the said tubes, as indicated in Fig. 3, so as to exclude or prevent the ingress of water or extraneous matter into the apparatus after the device has been cast or launched in the water. One of the jaws 15 is also prefer ably provided with a socket 23 adapted to receivea signal or flag staff which may assist the rescuing party in locating the device.

in order to maintain the device in col lapsed or folded condition, a pair of straps or flexible members 25 areattacbed to the inner side of the annulus 1' and at diametrical 1y opposite points and have the rings or loops 2%. The rings or loops 26 are designed for engagement pervious to water, so that the person may with the hooks 24 when the base and annulus are brought to gether.

Ordinarily, use, the bag 7 and shellll may be folded or telescoped, the rings or loops 26 being engaged to the hooks 24 to maintain the device in folded condition. The jaws 15 are also swung against the annulus 1 as depicted in Fig. 2. -In this condition, the device will only occupy a small compass and may be readily stowed orshipped, the same being relativelylight and not-being cumbersome. When the device is to be employed, in case of an accident or collision, 26 need only be detached from the hooks 24;, and the device will open or unfold due to the tension of the spring-6. A'person. may

a then readily enter the basket, in which event,

the jaws may be swung closed, and the device may then be launched or cast into the water. The device is buoyant and will float- .without danger of collapsmg under the preswhen the device is not in at sea, the loops sure. it being noted that the outer shell 11 protects the inner member or bag 7, and

from striking or piercing prevents objects bag 7 iswaterproof or'imthe bag 7; The be housed within the device without danger, and his or her life maythus be saved, it being designed that the device shall be picked up by passing vessels or rescuing parties The device is perfectly water-proof and it .is to be noted that the closuremay not beopened from within the device so that the person within the device may not open the jaws to his or her danger, or to the liability of .waves washing into the basket. The present device may-beconstructed in various sizes,is.light and simple and has no exterior encumbrances.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is j 1. in a device of the character described, an annulus, a'base, a bag connected at its ends to the annulus andbase. and acoiled spring having its end-convolutions secured to the annulus and base, the coil being disposed within the bag.

2. In a device 01' the character described, a base, a tlexible bag secured coiled 115 an annulus, at its ends to the annulus and base, a spring having its e'nd eonv'olutions secured to the anfiulusand base and being disposed within thebag, and an outerteleseopic shell attached to'the annulus and iuclosing the bagand base.

-3 ."In a devik eot' the character described. an annulus, 'a base, a' flexible. bag attached at its ends to tlu anuulus and base, aifcoiled spring terminally secured to the annulus and base. and means for at'tat-hing the base to the annulus when the device is folded.

4. In a device. of the character described;

an annulus having a circumferential groove, In testimony that I claim the foregoing a base, a band fitting in the said groove, a as mv own, I have hereto aflixed my slgnabag attached to the base and clamped be ture in the presence of two witnesses.

tween the said band and groove, and an w WILLIAM PINCZES.

5 outer telescopic shell inclosing the bag and Witnesses:

base, the band having members engaging JOHN ESGHEMfiLLER. the upper section of the shell. JOSEPH RAVARS. 

